"Normal" - Jose Mourinho goes on a rant to downplay Liverpool injury crisis

Jose Mourinho believes Liverpool do not have an injury crisis

Speaking in the press conference before facing Liverpool on Wednesday (h/t Liverpool Echo), Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho went on a rant to deny that there is an injury crisis at Liverpool.

Mourinho does not believe that the injury troubles at Liverpool aren’t in any way affecting their shot at the title. Mourinho went on to name the Liverpool line-up he expects to face tonight.

Mentioning the name of the Reds players, Mourinho exclaimed that all but one of Liverpool’s are fit to play. He mentioned that Alisson, Trent-Alexander Arnold, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Georginio Wijnaldum amongst others are all not injured.

Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk leaves the field injured during the Merseyside derby. (GETTY Images) — Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk leaves the field injured during the Merseyside derby. (GETTY Images)

However, he did admit that Liverpool were missing a highly important player in Virgil van Dijk. However, that was the only injury that the ex-Chelsea manager was willing to admit is affecting Liverpool.

“So there are injuries, it’s normal… and every club has injuries. Liverpool has one big injury, which is Van Dijk.”

He contrasted James Milner’s injury to Erik Lamela’s injury and implied that Liverpool are not better off than Spurs when it comes to having players sidelined.

James Milner was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 73rd against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. (GETTY Images) — James Milner was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 73rd against Brighton and Hove Albion. (GETTY Images)

Comparing Liverpool’s situation to Tottenham, Mourinho remarked that both teams have injuries and that it’s “normal”. He even went on to name 10 injuries at his own club, including in Spurs’ youth sides.

But that list included only 3 first-team players; Erik Lamela, Japhet Tanganga, and Gareth Bale. Liverpool, on the other hand, have 9 senior players out but Joel Matip and Naby Keita may return against Spurs. (h/t Liverpool Echo).

Naby Keita picked up a hamstring injury in the win against Leicester. (GETTY Images) — Naby Keita picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-0 Premier League win against Leicester. (Getty Images)

Mourinho is wrong to underplay the situation at Liverpool because we are actually missing important first-team players. Nevertheless, anyone who has followed Mourinho’s career knows he can be really sly with his mind games.